8th Annual Polar Dip 

It was a beautiful 64-degree, sunny Californian day on January 1, as the 8th Annual Polar Dip, founded by our town’s Hugh Margerum, took its place in history with over 300 people from babies to seniors getting in the Pacific Ocean on cue at 11:30 am.

The public beach on Cabrillo Boulevard across from the rainbow arch is the landmark of this annual favorite, which this year was being widely publicized with the appearance of John Palminteri emceeing on the shoreline, and our Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol monitoring the swimmers in the water while sending a greeting with their fire hose spray.

A huge shout out to Harry Rabin, who came by via my request for Margerum, to do the first-ever drone footage of the event. Hopefully next year Heal the Oceancan set up a booth there and join with Adam McKaig,who is there annually to fundraise for his Adam’s Angels. 

New swimmers this year came from Santa Barbara Middle School, the Santa Barbara School of Squash, Santa Barbara Athletic Club Members, and Sol Seek Yoga who conducted a free yoga class before the swim. 

Margerum and Julie DeAngelis who helps out, said the event is founded on a single mission, “To bring people together by diving in the ocean every year on New Year’s Day. It’s great for comradery, it’s a great way to start the new year and its fun.”Certificates and a commemorative button were given for all who jumped in the ocean with no wetsuit and got completely submerged. 

This year, as the weather and ocean temps were so warm, most swimmers stayed in the ocean longer than usual. Post swim, it looked like a Beach Boys beach blanket bingo with peeps celebrating as only us Cali-babes know how – selfies, champagne, and picnic food, with all doggies welcomed.

Margerum is an abstract artist and promoter of creative community fun, and has been involved in the food and wine scene in Santa Barbara for many years. His art website is www.hughmargerum.com.  

411: www.sbpolardip.com